Planners are considering options for affordable housing

DERRY — Derry will look more into affordable housing options through extensions and micro-homes that can be built by residents.

During the Nov. 6 meeting, Derry’s Planning Board discussed new changes to state law that would make detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) a possibility in the city, and what types of regulations they would need to implement.

Planning Director Elizabeth Robidoux explained that ADU is a fancy term for in-law apartments or granny flats.

In 2017, the state passed a law that defines ADUs as housing units located within or attached to a single-family home that provide independent living facilities for one or more people.

Board Chairman David Nelson expressed concerns about freestanding ADUs, where in the city they would be best suited and what infrastructure they might need.

Nelson said it made more sense for detached ADUs to have access to city water and sewer connections, but that part of the city tends to have smaller properties.

“So those two things kind of work against each other, right?” Nelson said. “You solve the problem of underground waste management systems, but those lots are typically smaller and may not physically fit into a freestanding unit.”

Mark L’Heureux, the city’s engineering coordinator, said many of the ADUs he has seen have been additions to garages.

Robidoux originally brought up ADUs, mentioning how a new regulation in New Hampshire says cities can update language to say they only have to provide one on-street parking space instead of four. She added that the state is using ADUs as a way to combat current housing problems.

Vice Chairman John O’Connor said freestanding ADUs would be helpful in obtaining local housing for travel nurses, nurses who work on shorter contracts at Parkland Medical Center.

Nelson agreed that it was important to look more at ADUs, both attached and detached, but he wanted to set a time for a more in-depth investigation.

“It’s a worthwhile goal, but it seems like the complexity of getting this right is such that we may have to postpone it until another round of changes,” Nelson said.